hilaskomai describes seeking or making mercy before God in connection with human sin.

The attested use concerns mercy before God in relation to sin: Hebrews 2:17 places it in the high priest's work for the people's sins, while Luke 18:13 places it in a sinner's plea to God.

1. Mercy sought or made in relation to sin · dominant

   In Hebrews 2:17, the present passive infinitive occurs in the purpose clause describing the merciful and faithful high priest's action concerning the sins of the people; the APB renders the clause “to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” In Luke 18:13, the second-person aorist passive singular form appears in the tax collector's address to God as a sinner; the APB renders his request, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

   Hebrews 2:17Luke 18:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term with “make propitiation” in Hebrews 2:17 and “be merciful” in Luke 18:13. These render the respective clauses rather than establishing separate lexical senses.